Websites from the ISKCON Universe
2013-07-27 Prerna Festival-Engineering-The Better world – Radhanath Swami ISKCON Chowpatty
We sometimes make small things unnecessarily big. When we are on our way to office, unseasonal rains delay us and upset our schedule for the day. We get so irritated that when we finally reach the workplace we are drained – not as much by the inconvenience as by the irritation. Our depleted mental energy makes us underperform. What matters to us – good performance – doesn’t happen because we let all that happened matter.
Keep small things small - that's a central teaching of the Bhagavad-gita. The Gita (02.15) assures us that those who stay sober and undistracted amidst life’s joys and sorrows achieve eternal existence. We are souls on a multi-lifetime journey searching for beauty and joy in worldly things. Gita wisdom explains that all beauty and joy is found in its fullest and best in Krishna. This insight transforms our journey into a pilgrimage as we redirect our heart’s compass towards Krishna.
During this devotional journey, if we let our thoughts get caught up in life’s inevitable ups and downs, then we can’t think about Krishna or our service to him. Thereby we lose the opportunity to increase our devotion to him. And that is all that will matter at the end of our life.
From the perspective of eternity, the worldly things that excite or agitate us today won’t matter. If we let them matter too much emotionally, then we don’t let the supremely consequential matter of increasing our devotion happen. Our refusal to let dualities consume us emotionally helps us not only at the end of life but also throughout life. The resulting composure helps us respond less impulsively and more maturely, thereby contributing more and achieving more even during this life. And we also achieve Krishna at the end.
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O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
From: Ganesh Pandian
As per B.G verse in whatever state of mind one leaves the present body, the same state he achieves without fail.
1. If one of the family members has attachment to particular person in the family then will he come back in the next life to the same family if not immediate sometime later?
From: varun
prabhu ji how a person can stop children and wife from not using animal products. my wife uses cream and other makeup products which contain animal ingredients like glicerien made from animal skin. so if i stop her for using products i will become fool in society people will say many things even my wife and children also.what should i do in this circumstances
From Durgesh Yewatkar
As i understand in all situation i hav to think of krishna has something to teach me in all situation and i need to understand thro his vision.But many of time it happens people around me think that i have become lazy, i dont think myself what to do in situation and just think of krishna,I find myself going into inferiority zone becoz people bouncing back on me like that.can u put some light on this thought process.
From D P Anjne
From D P Anjne
Modern capitalists accumulate more wealth than necessary, and the communists, envious of their prosperity, want to nationalize all wealth and property. Unfortunately the communists do not know how to solve the problem of wealth and its distribution. Consequently when the wealth of the capitalists falls into the hands of the communists, no solution results. Opposed to these two philosophies, the Krishna conscious ideology states that all wealth belongs to Krishna. Thus unless all wealth comes under the administration of Krishna, there can be no solution to the economic problem of mankind. Nothing can be solved by placing wealth in the hands of the communists or the capitalists. If a hundred-dollar bill is lying on the street, someone may pick it up and put it in his pocket. Such a man is not honest. Another man may see the money and decide to let it remain there, thinking that he should not touch another's property. Although this second man does not steal the money for his own purposes, he is unaware of its proper use. The third man who sees the hundred-dollar bill may pick it up, find the man who lost it and deliver it to him. This man does not steal the money to spend for himself, nor does he neglect it and let it lie in the street. By taking it and delivering it to the man who has lost it, this man is both honest and wise.
Nectar of Instruction purport 2
Philosophy and practice often appear incompatible
Yes we know what the scriptures say and Yes it makes sense but then the logic switch goes to off as we ignore and pursue our own desires, wants and needs.
Despite being kicked by material nature and understanding we are being kicked we continue on the same cause of actions; we see this grossly in relationships moving from one to another the women/man hunter continues, this time will be different I won’t make the same mistakes as last time.
Yes sadly we see those who go from one relationship to another even within the devotee society even thought they can understand what is happening; strong is the desire to connect with another and to enjoy.
I have been reflecting on this and how time puts things into perspective and what had appeared a hindrance becomes a liberation especially when seen from a devotional point of view how desire destroys and not liberates, binds not frees.
As a teenager I was surrounded by guys who not only had the looks but also the gift of the gab when it came to chatting up and captivating women; seeing them being successful in the chase for one who neither had the looks or the gift of the chat I couldn’t help but admire them with the sense of jealousy why not me.
Conversely I also knew women who were even more successful than the men, one in-particular who chased the lads who were the most popular being the first to enjoy them; we are seeing more of this in modern society.
Watching and observing you could see how although they had the pick of anyone they desired their were never truly satisfied their was always someone new someone better; driven by desire it proved destructive for both.
Supporting one individual who was a successful women hunter, having several marriages and unparalleled affairs (hence the many marriages) as the body deteriorates the ability to pursue women also goes. What is left?
Frustration.
Despite that the propensity to pursue and hunt women continues, but an old damaged body is not very desirable frustration and bitterness grows being left with only a memory; seeing the hurt in the eyes an emptiness a void.
Contrast this to spiritual pursuit as the body fails what is left?
Memories and thoughts of Krishna, no frustrations or bitterness as there is a fulfilment that goes beyond the material senses. Having desires fulfilled on the spiritual platform connecting with the spirit soul brings lasting happiness and lasting pleasure we need little more beyond this.
Watching and observing seeing how one path compares to another how we are fed by society to act and pursue one path; TV, Media, Social Web sharing sights bind us into becoming women/men hunters binding us in sex life and it’s pursuit; the result is that we are forced to take another birth, then another experiencing more and more but never becoming satisfied.
We see that the pursuit of spiritual life we come more and more attracted to and more and more satisfied with the simple things in life, turning even the smallest thing into a spiritual pursuit and how those couples who have Krishna at the heart are uniquely satisfied.
Society sees relationships from the view of sex life; an unhealthy sex life means an unhealthy relationship, fix it or move on. But devotional individual’s understand that this is a false premise to view a relationship on a more stable platform that of spiritual gain helping each other in this aim fulfils all desires and love is greater even in the absence of sex life; both are happy and fully satisfied.
Saying that I also see how for many even those who have taken up the spiritual path find it hard to break up the binds of material pursuits when it comes to women/men hunting and enjoying the bodily pursuit of enjoying other peoples bodies; Moving from one marriage to another or one relationship to another, philosophy and practice is not always mutually compatible.
This reminds me how we all get kicked in one way or another by material energy and in most instances we still don’t get the message so need to continually get kicked until the logic switch finally turns on.
I am however reminded of this that at least in devotional service we make some worthwhile progress there is never any loss, even if we on occasions miss the point.
As devotees illogical actions take on logical meanings; to the outsider our actions appear irrational even foolhardy but as a devotee we understand the desire and bliss that comes from such actions.
So I am invited to an evening sanga there is a special guest HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami this during a busy time at work (OK excuse) but also added is the 7+ hour round journey the only way to achieve this is by finishing a shift, going to the sanga return the same night (a 2am return time) ready to start work the following morning; illogical
But the enthusiasm of the couple holding the sanga was infectious seeing their sincere desire to serve the devotees and open up their home; along with the plea to bring my deities from Wales who could but resist.
And what a night I uploaded a small video taken as I drove home (yes smart phones are useful in sharing)
The following day was a struggle feeling a little punch-drunk as the saying goes but the bliss of the previous night carries the spirit soul souring; and so attentive was the couple who held the sanga that they even sent me away with supplies to slumbering with exhaustion one can enjoy a prasadam feast.
This is true household life to use the home for Krishna, to entertain and look after devotees I always leave feeling very satisfied but also very humbled for this is a true example of how we should conduct ourselves
And so to the outside onlookers my actions appear irrational but having such fine association of devotees the whole this is rational.
A Skype call with devotees in Mauritius.
“The idea with the mitra system is that everyone should have a friend in Krishna consciousness, someone to whom one can reveal one’s mind. Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Upadesamrita discusses priti-laksana — the symptoms of love shared between devotees. And Srila Prabhupada explains that ‘the life of the Krsna conscious society is nourished by these six types of loving exchange among the members.’
dadati pratigrhnati
guhyam akhyati prcchati
bhunkte bhojayate caiva
sad-vidham priti-laksanam
‘Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada, and offering prasada are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.’ (NOD 4)
“There are three pairs of exchanges: dadati pratigrhnati — giving gifts in charity and accepting charitable gifts; bhunkte bhojayate caiva — offering prasada and accepting prasada; and in the middle, most crucial, guhyam akhyati prcchati —revealing one’s mind in confidence and inquiring confidentially. Srila Prabhupada explains, ‘An experienced devotee explains, and an inexperienced devotee learns from him.’ This type of relationship, this type of exchange, is essential for our progress in Krishna consciousness, for nourishing our devotional creepers.”
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Jaya Radha Madhava and Talk
Nrsimha Prayers
Conclusion
“Journey to Goloka Vrindavana”
by Sachimata Prins
On Sat. evening, July 27th 2013, New Vrindaban had its 3rd annual Pushpa Abhishek, Flower Bathing Ceremony for the Deities, Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Candra. I was very fortunate to be present this time around, and was eager to participate in the transcendental occasion.
Sri-Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra looked stunning in a beautiful, embroidered, very colorful outfit on a gorgeously decorated altar. Everyone waited in anticipation. This Pushpa Abhisek tradition originated in India, and is now catching on in ISKCON temples around the globe.
No one quite knew if the flower petals would drop from the spiritual sky, from the ceiling overhanging the altar, or from the hands of the gopis themselves onto the Divine Couple. It turned out that our own resident gopis, Vani, and Harinam dasis, had the blessed opportunity to delightfully drop the flower petals gently on Sri-Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra.
I must say the array of colorful flowers that they used were magnificent.
The gopis were standing behind their Lordships, dropping the petals gracefully in unison on the heads of Radha and Krishna.
This was definitely one of the most awesome events I have ever attended at the temple. As I chanted along with the kirtan and watched the delightful offering, unexpected tears of joy began to flow from my eyes. That’s about as close as I ever got to ecstatic symptoms! The kirtan went on and on, first led by H.G.Parampara das, and then taken over by Syamala dasi.
In India, they allow the flower petals to accumulate until only Their Lordships’ faces are left visible, creating a magnificent darsan! Only the petals near the Deities’ eyes are cleared away. Some of us hope that, next year, in order to increase everyone’s ecstasy, none of the flowers are whisked away by the enthusiastic pujari, but rather that all the flowers are left piled up right where they fall, until the very end of the offering!Haribol!
Afterwards, the pujaris gathered the offered flower petals and started throwing them out to the crowds of eager devotees, where a playful flower fight took place throughout the temple room. Everyone became intoxicated, tossing the offered petals.
What great transcendental fun! I seriously felt like I was playing with Radha’s gopis and gopas in Goloka Vrindavana.
This incredible festival takes place only once a year, so be sure to look for it when it is advertised next summer. It is a festival not to be missed.
Thanks to all the wonderful New Vrindaban devotees for preparing the flowers and the altar. And to the cooks for preparing the tasty prasadam, most notably the delicious laddus that were served afterwards. Thanks also to the management for hosting this great event. Hope to see you next year.
Hare Krishna,
Your servant,
Sachimata dd
Transcendental Close Up
Piles of Petals
2013-07-21 Festival Drama – How Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Appeared by their Own Sweet Will
Sitting by the potted plant up at Srila Prabhupad’s room, I observed how a plant gives away vital oxygen for all life to sustain and also shows off its beauty to the world in just a single colour. Huge contributions and yet they remain at a spot undistracted, in a humble state and silently. What good qualities to serve someone. Encouraged, I drew a quick sketch of the plant I started at.
From: Keshav
What is difference between unconscious mind and conscious mind ?
Where are they located ?
Which mind is responsible for reality and which for imagination ?
Is it correct that they exist simultaneously ,
if they exist , then how can i make difference between real and imaginary.
From: Keshav
What is difference between Theology and Philosphy ?
In which category do our scriptures fall ?
I have heard Theology starts with belief and only faith , but philosphy starts with a doubt , logic and solution .
Most of the ISKCON leaders described in the Lilamrita are not in ISKCON now. Why is that?
Vedic sages like Brihaspati cohabit with other's wives, whereas today's devotees follow the regulative principles. Many atheists also follow moral principles.
From Manoj
From: Nityānanda Chandra Dās
Are there 3 separate pastimes of Krishna revealing the universe within his mouth?
1. "Mata, Krishna ate dirt lila" - Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.8.32-42
2. Mother Yaśodā nursing baby Krishna lila - Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.7.34-37
And finally
3. Damodara Lila per - Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.7.30 verse and purport http://vedabase.com/SB/2/7/30
Skeptics deride Krishna’s pastimes like lifting Govardhan hill: “How could anyone have lifted such a huge object? How could he have found its center of gravity?”
Krishna doesn’t have to find the center of gravity because he is the source of gravity. Material nature with all its laws such as gravity work under his supervision, as the Bhagavad-gita (09.10) indicates. So he can, at his will, suspend the laws of nature, just as the head of state can suspend the laws of traffic.
The laws of nature, as we know them, are our logical inferences derived from our finite capacities and our finite experiences. Though they may help in our study of the finite, but they can harm when extrapolated and imposed on the infinite. They act as a distorting filter that erroneously reduces the infinite to the finite.
By expecting Krishna who is infinite to conform to the limits of the finite, we deprive ourselves of authentic understanding of the infinite. The Bhagavad-gita (09.11) indicates that those who equate Krishna with finite mortals get it all wrong (avajananti mam mudha), for they overlook his supreme position (param bhavam ajananto).
The next verse (09.12) asserts that all their efforts end in futility (mogha), and they fall deeper into illusion (prakritim mohinim shritah). Indeed, their illusion continues for as long as they keep seeing the infinite through finite filters. Thus, they make their finite illusions infinite. That is, their narrow filters cause the illusion to persist infinitely, for as long as they hold on to those filters.
When Krishna suspends the laws of nature, those demonstrations of his supremacy invite us to transcend the limits of the finite. By accepting his invitation we open our heart to receive and relish his infinite love.
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09.12 - Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their culture of knowledge are all defeated.
The wealth of the world should be used for the welfare of all living entities, for that is the plan of Mother Nature. Everyone has the right to live by utilizing the wealth of the Lord. When people learn the art of scientifically utilizing the Lord's property, they will no longer encroach upon one another's rights. Then an ideal society can be formed.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 4 May 2013, Radhadesh, Belgium, Free Lecture)
When we see everything in relation to Krsna, then we can be very relaxed.
“Okay, it’s Krsna’s external energy. I prefer Krsna’s internal energy, but this is also related to Krsna and can be used for Krsna.”
Like you see in Prabhupada. He’s very relaxed. Prabhupada is not uptight, as if he’s in a fight with maya – he’s totally relaxed.
